What is this "message"?

[volvo945]

At exactly 5:00pm today (CT) I got a blue message on my screen from AT&T asking if I wanted to buy a Domino's pizza!!!!

I don't appreciate this type of instrusive advertising. When did this start? Can it be stopped?

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Calm down.  I got the same message, and it only happens occasionally.  It was an offer for free Domino's pizza if you sign up for Showtime or the U300 package.  If it is of no interest, simply take the 2 seconds to press "Dismiss" and return to viewing your program.

[sirmaru]

I'm in CT as well and just received the same message as a FREEBEE if one upgrades Uverse service.  I already have the U450 service so I don't qualify for the free pizza.  Too bad it isn't free no matter what one's service.  I would have ordered it.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Yes, I wouldn't mind a free pizza, but i also have the U450 package. 

[NewEngland96]

I got the same. Better be a one time thing, or something we can opt out of, otherwise I'll be switching back to cable or dish. The only thing that's been keeping me on the plan lately is being too lazy to change. If they think people are going to put up with pop-ups on their tv, they're going to be in for a rude surprise.

[batwing85]

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volvo945 wrote:

At exactly 5:00pm today (CT) I got a blue message on my screen from AT&T asking if I wanted to buy a Domino's pizza!!!!

I don't appreciate this type of instrusive advertising. When did this start? Can it be stopped?

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I agree....and also curious of how often I will be receiving these messages

[volvo945]

Texasguy:

Thanks so much for that helpful hint. I'm not stupid. It's the principle I object to, not the mechanics. Let's say you're having a big Super Bowl party with your buds. There's 1 second left on the clock, your team is down by 5. They snap the ball and pass into the end zone. Whoa, wait a minute here comes a blue screen asking you to buy toilet paper. You missed the big play! Where's the friggin' remote? Under some couch cushion. Too late. You missed the moment. Pause and rewind you say? Sorry, it's not the same.

[callmeox ACE - Wizard]

Since I live in the Cleveland area and the inept Browns will probably not make the Super Bowl in my lifetime I won't have to worry about any ruined moments like that.

But seriously, if it bothered you enough to post here about it then you should call Uverse customer service and let them know that you don't appreciate intrusive advertising like that and if it continues you will take your business elsewhere.

[volvo945]

Did that already. The CSR didn't know what I was talking about. Go figure.

[TexasLady_1]

This type of advertsing is completely unacceptable! The loud regular commercials are bad enough and now they are adding ones that I actually have to get the remote and click to remove?

I will absolutely be looking for a new provider if this ever happens again.

[Kong57]

Im wondering what happens if you are at work and you have a recording scheduled. I thought it was pretty rude of ATT

[DAMOSPORT]

I don't mind getting these messages usually......but i was watching the US vs Mexico game at the time so it was rather annoying.....i bet people wouldn't mind getting a message that their favourite channel is available on U-Verse though.......

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Wow, such negativity!

I just got in and found the message and thought it was pretty cool!  But I'm an AT&T shill (as I've been accused falsely) and have had the service going on 3 years, so what would I know?

Think it's great to finally start using IPTV for things like this!

edit--as always, photo proof (awaiting approval)  GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT:

Sorry for the blur, I was SO EXCITED!!! 

Message Edited by spd2demun on 08-12-2009 06:28 PM

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

This was not some random commercial from a company requesting that anyone buy anything!  This was an offer from your TV provider, AT&T, for you a free pizza if you signed up for the Showtime package or upgraded to U300.  In the 3 months that I have had U-verse, this is the 2nd message that has appeared on my screen.  The other one was in June right after the Phase 2 update which was a reminder to check your aspect ratio and your sound options.

If you find either of the 2 messages that have appeared on your screen over the course of the past 3 months the worst things that have happened to during that time, count yourself very lucky indeed.  I have had to deal with the loss of a sister and some other family related issues.  Pardon me if I don't go ballistic over 2 messages from AT&T appearing on my TV screen.  I really wish I could say that those are the worst things that have happened to me over the past 3 months.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

And FYI, UV ain't Cable, those messages don't show up on your recordings.

Can't please everyone, if they didn't do this, others would be complaining they were left out (because they never come here to read, just to moan).

Message Edited by spd2demun on 08-12-2009 06:32 PM

[DAMOSPORT]

When i had my last service provider i used to get all excited when i saw a red light on the receiver which indicated an incoming message....i just thought that was really cool

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Yeah, that's what I thought...our light never came on with Cable, but I always thought UV should have something like that.

[DAMOSPORT]

Yep it was pretty cool....used to wake up in the morning and i'd see the red light and i'd be like.....YIPPEE!!!!.....i got new channels on my cable!!...

[scandaloussc]

It was funny I was about to order Domino's and the message came out.
It said you can get a free large pizza and a 2 litter coke cola product by ordering Showtime or upgrading to u300.
It said to call u-verse and ask for "sales" mention the promo and they will give you a code to redeem at www.dominosoffer.com

If you go to www.dominosoffer.com it does say it's a legit offer but only for Showtime and there is no place for you to enter a code. To redeem they want 2 billing statements and they will mail you a coupon.

Also it said for more info click on "more info" but all that did was send me to channel 400.

I was recording a show and played it back and the message was not there. I also liked it, but thought they should have it automated like "click here to purchase".

Message Edited by scandaloussc on 08-12-2009 05:42 PM

[scandaloussc]

I also have Dish Network and on occasion this happens but only on certain commercials and all you get is a little banner on the corner or bottom that will say something like "for more info on receiving a free pizza press select". When and if you press select it takes you to a special interactive channel that gives you the details.

[JamesTheName]

Whoopty freaking doo, a free pizza and pop. From Dominos yet. If they want us to upgrade so bad, throw something a little more meaty in there.

Like a couple of slabs of Famous Daves Ribs and sides. Now that's value.

[volvo945]

I'm all for interactive TV, as long as I initiate the interaction.

Uverse already has a suitable channel for these types of announcements and marketing programs: channel 100/1100. I've even been known to peruse that channel on occassion to see what's new. I want it on my terms.

[skeeterintexas]

There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We can reduce the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Outer Limits.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

I got taken to Ch. 400 as well, didn't stay to see if there were more details.  IMO should have stayed in the Message screen and given info from there.

Too bad about needing 2 bills.   Agreed, should be able to order pizza on TV...maybe one day!

Seems they could implement a HIDE feature for Messages (like Hide Channels, and you could view them at your leisure).  But with the move to paperless billing, offers may not get seen on bills since many just pay the amount.  Not everyone gets U-Guide either (where offers are displayed).

[NorthLineTony ACE - Czar]

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volvo945 wrote:

Texasguy:

Thanks so much for that helpful hint. I'm not stupid. It's the principle I object to, not the mechanics. Let's say you're having a big Super Bowl party with your buds. There's 1 second left on the clock, your team is down by 5. They snap the ball and pass into the end zone. Whoa, wait a minute here comes a blue screen asking you to buy toilet paper. You missed the big play! Where's the friggin' remote? Under some couch cushion. Too late. You missed the moment. Pause and rewind you say? Sorry, it's not the same.

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Well, Volvo, at least that is not as horrendous as the "Heidi" interruption.

[NorthLineTony ACE - Czar]

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Kong57 wrote:
Im wondering what happens if you are at work and you have a recording scheduled. I thought it was pretty rude of ATT

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Don't worry, it will not show up in a recording.

[Escapee]

Give Dominos corp office a hard time as well as AT&T.  They are hurting their brand.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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NorthLineTony wrote:

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volvo945 wrote:

Texasguy:

Thanks so much for that helpful hint. I'm not stupid. It's the principle I object to, not the mechanics. Let's say you're having a big Super Bowl party with your buds. There's 1 second left on the clock, your team is down by 5. They snap the ball and pass into the end zone. Whoa, wait a minute here comes a blue screen asking you to buy toilet paper. You missed the big play! Where's the friggin' remote? Under some couch cushion. Too late. You missed the moment. Pause and rewind you say? Sorry, it's not the same.

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Well, Volvo, at least that is not as horrendous as the "Heidi" interruption.

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If it were another "Heidi" interruption, I would imagine that some here would bomb NBC's headquarters or put out a contract on the CEO.

[mikedamirault]

I don't mind that AT&T is adding advertisements, but that's not the way to do it, I am not into sports at all, so it's not the idea of it interrupting some game, but more of how it comes up

I am not sure if this is only imbedded on live broadcasts, in which case, I think it's okay, but if it's possible on live broadcasts, wouldn't it be possible to pop up at any time?  Like when watching a recording?  The last thing I need is setting up a standalone DVD burner to burn one of my recorded shows/movies to DVD, get 30 minutes into the show or movie I recorded, then have an advertisement pop up while it's burning that video feed to a DVD, then I have to remove the DVD, throw it away, grab another DVD, pop it in, and restart the burning, hoping another advertisement doesn't come up

I wouldn't mind if they just threw advertisements in the guide, settings, or some of the interactive channels, but live/recorded television is not the place to put an ad, as, like someone else here said, we already have to live with loud interruptions to our shows (commercials), now we have to worry about it in the middle of our show also

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

As NorthlineTony posted above, the message is not something that would appear in a recording that may have been in process when the message appeared.